"I ahve to say you ladies are REALLY good, maybe we should skip to the first fall warblers???? " Ladies, we are in trouble. Check your Peterson guide on confusing fall warblers to bone up for the challenge! Actually the guide is pretty good by putting them in sub-sections by field marks and color. You can then proceed by process of elimination until you get down to the correct bird. Then check the Cornell's site for other photographs for further positive ID markers. Local variations and light in the photos make if tougher too but if you find most of key ID points it is probably that bird. According to my SMAS group the Blue Jay is considered partially leucistic, not albino, and is exhibiting other feather abnormalities related to genetics. In another communication, Arlene Ripley commented that she has seen many albino birds but none have exhibited the fur-like structures of this Jay's feathers. I did some of my own research on fur-like feathers and every site pointed to something called proto-feathers which were exhibited by some early dinosaurs before true feathers emerged. It's exciting to imagine this bird may be exhibiting an ancient genetic throwback to prehistoric times which upholds the common belief that birds evolved from dinosaurs as they first took flight. There has been a call to ask everyone on the local site if there is a scientic name for this feather anomaly and this call comes from a man that works for the Smithsonian Institute and really knows birds. So far, no reponse, so the local bird community here may be stumped. There was sentiment regarding hope the bird survives. Jean, has this bird been a regular at your feeder for any length of time in which one could make the assumption it has survived nature with this variance? Arlene suggested the photo be posted on websites dedicated to leucistic and albino birds and see if more information could be obtained from readers. PapaSmurf is a rare Blue Jay indeed. CT

Nice hawk pictures, Emily! I wonder why it was looking around, maybe it thought another hawk was going to try to rob it of dinner? Here the House/English Sparrows have taken to lurking in the depths of an old berberis, and the Cooper's Hawk has learned to strike at the shrub to scare them out. I don't think the hawk can get inside, the branches are thorny and dense, but the sparrows panic and burst out and the hawk chases them. I haven't seen a kill yet but it could happen just out of sight if the hawk is fast enough. I once saw a hawk keep running around a euonymus shrub trying to get into the center. It even used its claws to reach inside. Whatever was inside survived, unless it died of terror. Claire

Was preparing fo tomorrow's Second Sunday Shoeshoe atthe Arboretum when I saw these posts tr: Plant Sale. I've attached info about the 09 Spring Sale and other May '09 events here (www.landisarboretum.org) May 2, Saturday, 7 - 8:30 PM WOODCOCK WALK Early spring brings the mating song and dance of the American woodcock. We will explore the fields of the Arboretum to hear his song and observe his aerial dance. If we are lucky wefll be able to sneak right up on him as he shows off to females. George Steele, Science Educator. Donation, $5 per person. May 9, Saturday, 10 V noon at the Arboretum, and 1-3 PM at 1185 Creek Road in Esperance WILDLEARN AND WINSLOW OUTDOOR FAMILY ADVENTURE DUO Join the Wildlife Learning Company at the Arboretum for a live animal presentation that includes local wildlife ¡V including birds, reptiles, and amphibians ¡V followed by an interactive guided nature walk. The program takes place at 10 AM - noon Location: Landis Arboretum, Lape Road, Esperance, NY. Then experience the excitement of artistic equestrian JD Winslow in a workshop on the care and training of his unique riding horses, followed by a special acrobatic riding presentation. Location: 1185 Creek Road, Esperance, NY. One fee includes admission to both presentations. Bring a picnic lunch. Reservations with payment or credit card by May 1. Members $8, non-members $10. Family of four: members $25, non-members $35. May 9, Saturday, 10 AM ¡V 1 PM EYE ON: NATURE THROUGH THE CAMERA¡¦S LENS A photography class for all levels of proficiency, The 548-acres Arboretum becomes a photographer¡¦s paradise in this dynamic three-part exploration of nature as seen though the camera¡¦s lens. Led by nature photographer Bill Combs, Jr. and members of the Schoharie County Photographers Club, the informal three sessions are designed to engender excitement and a deeper appreciation of technique, patience and experience when nature is the dynamic subject of pursuit. ÂX May: Look up: Avian life at Landis. ÂX June: Look down! Explore the hidden wonders of the forest floor at the Capital Region¡¦s Arboretum ÂX July: Look out and all around! Celebrate the abundance of Wildlife that makes the Arboretum a boundless source of inspiration and satisfaction for your mid-day photographic adventure. Each 3-hour segment includes: ÂX 90 minutes with camera in hand, exploring the natural splendors of the Arboretum. ÂX 90 minutes of shared time as you display your images in a group setting, learn from shared suggestions and recommendations for improving technique, engaging nature, and expanding creative options. Held at the Arboretum¡¦s Harkness Library, which doubles as a classroom, art studio, workshop area. Requirements: Enthusiasm; a digital camera, appropriate clothing (depending on season), and sensible shoes for the natural terrain of Landis. Bring a brown-bag lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage. Segments can be taken individually although participation in all three sessions will yield maximum satisfaction and learning. Cost: $25/session for members; $35/non-members. Your Guides: Cobleskill resident Bill Combs Jr¡¦s interest in photography began in high school. What began as a hobby developed into a privilege, taking him to places he never would have visited otherwise¡Xfrom countless hours exploring the wildlife of the exotic Everglades National Park in Florida to photographing the buffalo round-up in South Dakota and elk and bighorn sheep in the Rockies. Bill and his family often can be seen exploring the trails and rich natural resources of the Arboretum. For more than a decade, the Schoharie Photo Club has provided common ground for regional photographers -- both amateur and professional. Members discuss their art, share techniques, display their images, and discuss their body of work. Members¡¦ work is displayed at the Cobleskill Fair each August as well as in group showings at the TriCounty Arts Council Gallery in Cobleskill. The Club hosts presentations by guest speakers and knowledgeable members on various topics during its monthly meetings. www.scphotoclub.com ; info@scphotoclub.com May 9, Saturday, 11 AM ¡V 3 PM PAINT-OUT Mohawk Region Chapter of the New York Plein-Air Painters will sponsor a 'Paint-Out' on the grounds of the Landis Arboretum. Plein-air painting is practiced internationally and is growing in popularity. It refers to artwork, usually landscapes, created outdoors on site. Artists typically work in oils and create relatively small paintings that can be completed in a few hours using folding easels and lightweight, portable equipment. All materials are carried in and carried out by the artists with a careful respect of the environment. We are hoping for some fine spring weather (basically no heavy snow or driving rain, but everything else will be acceptable) and glorious flowering trees and shrubs. Artists can park at the Meeting House. We will reconvene at 3:30 for a casual group critique, refreshments, and a welcome chance to visit. Donations of paintings to the Arboretum's Acorn gift shop as well as paintings left for commission sale are encouraged, but not required. In the event of rain (as in downpour) the event will be postponed to the same time the following day, Sunday, May 10. To sign up, or for more information, participating artists can call Mary Beth Vought at 518-868-2807. May 12¡V16, Monday¡VFriday, 9 AM¡V5 PM ARBORETUM¡¦S SIGNATURE SPRING PLANT/BOOK SALE SET-UP Volunteers needed the week prior to the sale. Please call the Arboretum at 518-875-6935 for specifics. Lunch provided! Workers and bakers needed for plant sale weekend also. May 15, Friday, 5 ¡V 8 PM MEMBERS¡¦ PREVIEW PARTY By longstanding tradition, the Friday before the Plant Sale opens to the general public s designated as ¡§Pick of the Pots¡¨ (PoPs), a member-only preview and plant sale. The light evening fare of festive finger foods will be provided by Dottie Gallo¡¦s Sweet Tooth Caterers (Esperance). Details will be announced in the Newsletter and at www.landisarboretum.org. Always a memorable event when old friends meet once again ¡V and introduce new ones to an Arboretum tradition. May 16 and 17, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM ¡V 4 PM SPRING PLANT AND BOOK SALE Out of the ordinary trees, shrubs, and perennials. Bake sale on both days. Free admission and free parking. Volunteers needed and welcomed. May 22/23, Friday/Saturday, 9:30 PM PUBLIC STAR PARTY Alan French and Albany Area Astronomers. Free admission and parking ¡V but donations to aid the Arboretum are always welcomed. See March 27/28 for details. May 23, Saturday, 6 - 9 AM EARLY MORNING BIRD WALK A walk for the beginning to serious birder. We will explore the Arboretum grounds to find resident and migrating birds. George Steele, Science Educator. Donation, $5 per person. May 30, Saturday, 9:30 AM ¡V 2:30 PM PROJECT WILD/AQUATIC WILD Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design) and Aquatic WILD are among the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs today. This fast-paced workshop is designed for formal and informal educators, and will teach you how to integrate wildlife-focused activities of Project WILD and WILD Aquatic into your lessons, be they in the classroom, camp, after-school program, or nature center. Participants will receive two curriculum guides, which contain more than 200 activities for ages K-12. The workshop will include a range of activities from the guides and will take place indoors and out on the Arboretum's grounds. $20/participant. To register, call the Wildlife Learning Company, 607-293-6043.

Thanks for the info and the video. That is exactly what we saw. I'll have to go and look up the info on it on the Internet. First time we've seen this type of bird here. The beak on it is so unusual and it walked funny with almost a bobbin to its step when walking on the grass. The one I posted the picture of is the one we first saw and then as I was going to walk around the porch I noticed something very small on the walkway. A smaller version of the one in the photo, huddled and I noticed it was injured and moved it into our flower bed. It was bleeding so I am assuming something got to it. We also have many different types of wildlife around here. We felt so bad for it but I guess it is mother natures way of balancing things out. Thanks for the ID. Julia